Massive asteroid heading for earth could devastate Nigeria in 2032, scientists warn

Scientists have warned that if asteroid 2024 YR4 hits Earth in 2032, Nigeria would be one of nine nations that might be severely devastated.

This comes after the UN triggered the Planetary Security Protocol because of the potential for the asteroid to strike Earth in December 2032.

Researchers identified a number of nations, including three in Africa—Nigeria, Sudan, and Ethiopia—that might be affected if the asteroid hits land.

Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela are some of the nations that could be affected if the planetary object falls on solid ground.

According to the European Space Agency's (ESA) Near Earth Object Coordination Center, the YR4 asteroid has a diameter of 40 to 90 meters, which is enough to destroy a metropolis the size of New York.

"It is most likely to fall into the ocean in the event that it finally impacts," according to astrophysicist González Peinado, but that doesn't lessen the impact's significance because it might trigger tsunami waves.

In the meantime, agencies including NASA, ESA, the United Nations Space Mission Planning Advisory Group (SMPAG), and the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN) are continuously tracking the asteroid's path.